Bomb control system



Nov. 26, 1946. J. H. HAMMOND, JR 2,411,738

BOMB CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RADIO CONTROLAPPARATUS TIME 48 MECH EXPLOSQVE INVENTOR JOHN HAYs HAMMOND,JR.

Nov. 26, 1946. J. H. HAMMOND, JR 2,411,788

BOMB CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a SUBAUDIBLE Lc OSCILLATOR Monun.ATo& 45 OSCILLATOR AMPLlFlER RADIO c RELAY TUBE. 55

SELECTOR RECEIVER "AND RELAY '36 l l I an as 34 POWER PACK 0 INVENTOR?aiente 2a 1 non/m CONTROL SYSTEM John Hays Hammond, J12, Gloucester,Mass, assignor to Radio Corporation of America Application December 18,1943, Serial No. 51%,747

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the detonation of bombs by radiant energy andmore particularly to the radio detonation or a plurality of bombssimultaneously.

The invention also provides means for making the detonating mechanism ofthe bomb inactive for a predetermined time after the bomb has beenreleased.

The invention further provides means for making the radio receiver inthe bomb active only during certain predetermined hours of the day forseveral consecutive days.

The invention also provides means for explodingthe bomb automatically atthe end of a predetermined time which is preferably several days.

The invention further provides means for automatically exploding thebomb if it is disturbed in the slightest from the position in which itcame to rest after hitting the target. 1

The invention also consists in certain new and original features ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the modeof its operation and the manner of its organization may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Figure 1is a section thru the bomb showing the control mechanisms;

Figure 2 illustrates diagrammatically the transmitting circuits on theplane;

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically the receiving circuits located inthe bomb;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the sensitive mechanism fordetonating the bomb if disturbed; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the mechanism shown inFig. 4.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings.

In the following description parts will be identified by specific namesfor convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in theirapplication to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 abomb H is provided with a steel casing l2 to which is attached ahemispherical casing l3 made of plastic or other non-metallic material.Suitable vanes '4 are 2 provided for guiding the bomb in its flight. Theinterior of the bomb is divided into three compartments l5, I6 and H bymeans of two trans* verse bulkheads l8 and W.

In the compartment [Sis the explosive charge 2| and a detonator 22.Between the bulkheads I8 and I9 is mounted a cylinder 22' in whichslides a cylindrical casing 23. The space between the base of the casing23 and the bulkhead I8 is filled with sponge rubber 24 or other shockabsorbing material.

In the casing 23 is mounted a radio control apparatus 25, a timemechanism 26 and a contact device 21. The radio control apparatus 25 isconnected by a flexible conductor 28 to an antenna 29 mounted inside thecasing H3. The antenna may be of any suitable non-directive constructionand may, if desired, be embedded in the plastic material.

The radio control apparatus 25, see Fig. 3, may comprise a radioreceiver 3|, to which the antenna 29 is connected, a power pack 32, aselector 33 and a relay tube and relay 34. The contacts of the relay 34are connected to two terminals 35 and 36. The power pack 32 may includea battery 31 and is connected to two terminals 38 and 39.

A suitable transmitter may be provided on the airplane, see Fig. 2,which includes a subaudible oscillator 4|, a key 42, 3. modulator 43, anoscillator amplifier 44 and an antenna system 45.

The time mechanism 26 includes three discs 46, 41 and 48 (Fig. 1), whichrotate at varying speeds. For example, the disc 46 may make onerevolution in four hours, the disc 41 one revolution in twenty-fourhours and the disc 48 one revolution in four days. The disc 46 isprovided with a pin 49 and the discs 41 and 48 are provided withconducting sectors 5! and 52 respectively.

Engaging the pin 49 is an arm of conducting material 53 which is pivotedat 54. A spring 55 tends to move this arm to the left. Co-operating withthe arm 53 are two contacts 56 and 51.

Engaging the discs 41 and 48 are two pairs of contacts 5859 and 6l62respectively.

, The contact mechanism 21 comprises a hemispherical bowl 63 (Figs. 1, 4and 5) provided with a top 64, the bowl and top being made ofnonconducting material. The bowl is secured to a ring 65 which ispivotally mounted in a gimbal ring 66, which in turn is pivotallymounted in brackets 61.

Secured to the ring 65 is a pivot 66, rotatably mounted in the gimbalring 66, to the end of 3 which is secured a friction disc 88, see Fig.5. Mounted on a bracket II, which is secured to the gimbal ring 88, is asolenoid I2 provided with a core I3. Secured to the core I3 is a collarI4 between which and the solenoid I2 is mounted a compression spring 15.Mounted on the gimbal ring 88 is a spring I8, which is held out ofengagement with the friction disc 88 by means of the core I3. A weightI8 mounted on the gimbal ring 88 counterbalances the weight of thesolenoid I2, etc.

Secured to the gimbal ring 88 is a pivot 11 where a similar constructionis provided including a spring I8 which is controlled by a solenoid I8.The winding of the solenoid I2 is connected by a flexible conductor 8|to one side of a battery 83 and by a flexible conductor 82 to thecontact 51. The other side of the battery 83 is connected by a conductor88 to the arm 53. The winding of the solenoid I8 is connected by branchconductors 84 and 85 to the conductors 8| and 82 respectively.

Mounted in the top 84 of the bowl 83 are four contacts 88 which areconnected together and by a flexible conductor 81 to the arm 53. Thebowl 83 is filled with mercury 88 or other conducting liquid, to a leveljust below the contacts 88. Projecting into the mercury 88 is anelectrode 89 which is connected by a flexible conductor 8| to theterminal 35. The terminal 38 is connected by a conductor 82 to thecontact 58 and the terminals 38 and 38 are connected by conductors 83and 84 to the contacts 58 and 58 respectively. The contacts 8| and 82are connected by branch conductors 85 and 88 to the conductors 8| and82, respectively, which in turn are connected by flexible conductors 87and 88 and a battery 88 to the detonator 22. 4

In the operation of this invention when the bomb H is released from theairplane the time mechanism 28 is started by any suitable means notshown. When the bomb strikes the target it will not explode, as thecircuit to the detonator 22 is open at the contact 58. The sponge rubber24 will absorb the shock of striking the target so that the mechanismsin the casing 23 will not be damaged. After the bomb has come to restthe contact device 21 will assume a horizontal position, as it issuspended in the gimbal ring 88.

After a predetermined interval of time has elapsed, for example fourhours, the disc 48 together with the pin 48 will have rotatedsufliciently in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, torelease the arm 53, which will be moved to the left under the action ofthe spring 55, thus engaging the contacts 58 and 51. This will close acircuit from the battery 83 thru the solenoids I2 and I8, the cores ofwhich will be retracted, thus releasing the springs I8 and I8 which willclamp the contact device 21 in whatever horizontal position it hasassumedwith respect to the bomb H. In this position the contacts 88 willbe just clear of the surface of the mercury 88.,

If any attempt is made to tamper with the bomb and it is moved ever soslightly from the position in' which it came to rest the mercury 88 willengageone of the contacts 88 thus completing a circuit from the battery88 conductors 81 and 8|, electrode 88, mercury 88, contact 88, conductor81, arm 53, contact 58 and conductors 82 and 88 to the detonator 22which is exploded thus causing the detonation of the explosive charge2|.

If the bomb is not thus exploded the disc 41 will rotate in a clockwisedirection, as indicated by the arrow, until the segment 5| engages thecontacts 58 and 58 which will close the circuit of the battery 31 ofthe'power pack 32. This will put the whole radio control apparatus 25into a sensitive condition ready to receive signals from the transmittershown in Fig. 2. This energization may be initiated, for example 20hours after the bomb has been dropped and may last, for example, for aperiod of four hours. This active period'will recur each 'day for apredetermined interval of time for a period of several days.

If during this active period a predetermined signal is transmitted fromthe airplane and is received by the antenna 28 of radio controlapparatus 25 will cause the relay circuit 34 to be closed thuscompleting a circuit from the battery 88, conductors 81 and 8| toterminal 35. relay 34, terminal 38, conductors 82 and 88 to thedetonator 22, which will be exploded, thus detonating the explosivecharge 2|.

In this way, all of the bombs, which may have been planted duringseveral bombing raids over a period of several days, may be explodedsimultaneously. I

The type of radio transmitter depicted in Fig.

i 2 is assumed to produce a high frequency carrier wave, which ismodulated at a lower frequency, which for example may be a subaudiblefrequency. The receiver shown in Fig. 3 is of a type suitable toselectively receive this signal and cause the operation of the relay 34.It is to be understood, however, that the radio system is not to belimited to this particular type, but may be of any suitable'design andconstruction.

It the bomb is not exploded by radio after a predetermined period,which, for example may be four days, the disc 48 will have rotated in aclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, so that the segment 52will engage the contacts 8| and 82, This will close a circuit from thebattery 88, conductors 8! and 85, contact 8|, segment 52, contact 82,conductors 88 and 88 to the detonator 22 which will be exploded, thusdetonatlng the explosive charge 2|.

It is thus seen that a system is provided in which salvos of bombs maybe planted on targets on successive days and then all explodedsimultaneously by a remote radio signal thus producing a much greaterdestructive eifect than if each of the bombs exploded at the time itstruck the target. If, for any reason, it is not possible to explode thebombs by radio they will be automatically exploded at the end of thepredetermined period. Meanwhile any attempt to tamper with or remove thebomb will cause it to explode.

Although only a specific formin which this invention may be embodied hasbeen shown herein, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to any specific construction but may be embodied in variousforms without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined bythe v appended claims.

What is'claimed is:

1. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric actuating circuit thereforincluding a liquid switch means adapted to be closed in response totilting from a horizontal position, means mounting said liquid switchmeans for universal movement, gravity actuated means to cause saidliquid switch means to assume a horizontal position, means initiallyholding said actuating circuit open, and time-controlled means actuatedafter said bomb comes to rest to lock said mounting means againstfurther movement relative to said bomb and to close said actuatingcircuit; to said liquid switch means, whereby movement of said bombthereafter will close said liquid switch means and operate saiddetonator.

2. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric actuating circuit thereforincluding a mercury switch adapted to be closed in response to tiltingfrom a horizontal position, gimbal means mounting said switch foruniversal movement, gravity actuated means to cause said switch toassume a horizontal position, a time switch initially holding saidactuating circuit open, and time-controlled means operative after saidbomb comes to rest to close said time switch and to lock said gimbalmeans against further movement relative to said bomb, whereby movementof said bomb thereafter will close said mercury switch and uperate saiddetonator,

3. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric actuating circuit thereforincluding a liquid switch adapted to be closed inresponse to tiltingfrom a horizontal position, means mounting said switch for universalmovement, gravity actuated means to cause said switch to assume ahorizontal position, a normally open contact in circuit with said liquidswitch, time-controlled means closing said last contact and locking saidliquid switch against further movement relative to said bomb wherebymovement of said bomb thereafter will close said liquid switch andoperate said detonator, a radio receiver including a relay connected toclose said actuating circuit, said receiver having means responsive to apredetermined received radio signal to energize said relay,time-controlled means for rendering said receiver operative to receiveradio waves periodically for predetermined intervals of time wherebysaid bomb will be exploded upon reception of said predetermined signalduring said operative periods, and additional time-controlled meansconnected to close said actuating circuit to operate said detonatorafter a predetermined number of such operative periods.

4. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing thedetonator, a first time-controlled means for conditioning the detonatorcir-' cuit to be energized upon the movement of the bomb from itsposition of rest, a second timecontrolled means for conditioning thedetonator circuit to be energized upon receipt of a control signal froma remote point, and a third timecontrolled means for conditioning thedetonator circuit to be energized after the lapse of a predeterminedtime interval.

5. A bomb comprising a. detonator, an electric circuit for firing thedetonator, a first time-controlled means for conditioning the detonatorcircuit to be energized upon the movement of the bomb from its positionof rest after its release, a second time-controlled means forconditioning the detonator circuit to be energized during predeterminedtime intervals upon receipt of a control signal from a remote point, anda third timecontrolled means for conditioning the detonator circuit tobe energized at the termination of a predetermined number of such timeintervals.

6. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing thedetonator, a plurality of switches selectively operable each to energizesaid circuit, means for conditioning the detonator circuit to be closedthrough one of said switches upon movement of the bomb from its positionof rest, time-controlled means for closing the detonator circuit througha second of said switches upon the receipt of a radio control signal,and other time-controlled means for closing the detonator circuitthrough a third of said switches after the lapse of a predetermined timeinterval in the absence of a control signal.

7. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing thedetonator, a plurality of switches selectively operable at predeterminedtimes each to energize said circuit, means for actuating one of saidswitches to thereby condition the detonator circuit to be energized uponmovement of the bomb from its position of rest, the detonator circuitupon the receipt of a radio control signal, means for actuating anotheror said switches to close the detonator circuit after the lapse, of apredetermined time interval in the absence of a control signal, and timemechanism controlling the operation of said switch actuating means in apredetermined time sequence.

8. A bomb comprising a detonator, an electric circuit for firing thedetonator. a plurality of switches selectively operable at predeterminedtimes each to energize said circuit, means ior actuating one of saidswitches to thereby condition the detonator circuit to be energized uponmovement of the bomb from its position of rest, a radio receiver havinga relay which operates upon receipt of a predetermined radio signal toactuate another of said switches to close the detonator circuit, meansfor actuating another of said switches to close the detonator circuitafter the lapse of a predetermined time interval in the absence of acontrol signal, and time mechanism controlling the operation of saidswitch actuating means in a predetermined time sequence.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND. JR.

